Annabeth's P.O.V
Percy and I spent the first six, almost seven hours, of Saturday driving. Percy's alarm had gone off for swimming like normal even though he didn't have swimming today, he'd just forgotten, out of pure exhaustion from yesterday, to remember to change his alarm. We'd both woken at 4:30am, Percy had been nothing but apologetic about it all, but we decided to put our bags in the car and head off. At least we'd make good time to Virginia. I was still incredibly nervous about it all.
The car ride had been fine, we'd talked about this and that, and then more important things. Like how things were going with his dad and his family. I'd been surprised to learn that during his incredibly busy Friday he'd managed to fit in a visit to his father's home.
"You forget to say something the day before?" I asked at we made our way down the highway.
"No, I went to see my step-mother, Amphi or as my father calls her Fi-Fi." I scrunched my nose at the sickly sweet nickname and Percy laughed. "Yeah, I had a similar react the first time I was introduced, unfortunately it was noticed. Anyway, I went to apologise, I made a lot of my visits purposely difficult to spite my father when I was younger, and I unknowingly or perhaps uncaringly pulled her into it all."
"How did it go?" I asked.
"She was sure surprised when I turned up to see her and not my father, but she accepted my apology so, well, I'd say."
"You're a better person than I am" I said to him.
"Hardly, my mother has been trying to get me to see sense about it all for years. I've been stubborn and unwilling. I didn't deserve her forgiveness and yet she gave it to me anyway."
"You're also too hard on yourself." I told him.
"Yes, cause you aren't too hard on yourself at all." He teased me.
I rolled my eyes affectionately at him, but I didn't deny his accusation. My next surprise was a list he gave me.
"I meant to give it to you, last weekend but we got so caught up in everything else I forgot. I've not been able to stop thinking about how you said you aren't fun or exciting. I don't agree with your assessment however, I know to get you to believe me, you need to believe it yourself. So I downloaded that list of '15 things students must do before they graduate' to try and help." He said and turned to look at me briefly before turning back to look at the road.
I opened the list and began to read.
" to cook. part in fancy dress. 3. Pub Crawl 4. Do some charity work. 5. Freshers week an all-nighter in the library. 7. Help someone on another course. 8. Support a uni team. 9. Stay out until the sun comes up. 10. Uni BBQ 11. Get a uni hoody! 12. Party all night at the Students Union 13. Road trip with housemates 14. Pub Quiz 15. Get a tattoo."
"I almost took off the last one, but I remembered what you said about permanence and well tattoos are certainly permanent." He said to me.
"I've done some of these things, 4,5,6,7,8 and 11 although freshers week was horrid." I told him.
"It can't have been that bad, but my point was that you had done some things on the list which means you aren't unadventurous or boring. And if you wanted to complete the list, I'll help you do that too." He said and I couldn't help but smile as my heart did a little relay in my chest.
"I would love to finish the list." I said.
"The whole list? Because you don't have to get a tattoo just because some list on the internet says it's a must do." He said turning off the highway towards hopefully the hotel we were staying in.
"Every last part of the list" I confirmed without hesitation. And I saw him smile.
"Well alright then." He said. "You know, I happen to think you learning a new language to be able to communicate with someone else is amazing. I'm also beyond selfishly thankful that, the language you learnt was sign language because it meant you were and are uniquely qualified to help Estelle. I'll always be grateful for that. I know mom's called you an angel about it a few times, but I really do love the fact you're making time to teach Estelle sign language." I blushed and I could feel the heat in my cheeks.
"Thanks Percy, I love that I was able to help."
We continued to converse about how to complete the list for another 20 minutes before Percy pulled the car to a stop. I folded the list up and put it in my pocket before we got out of the car to check in.
Once we'd dropped our stuff in our room and freshened up Percy asked if he could take me somewhere. We we're nearing lunch, so I thought nothing of it and agreed before letting me pull me back into the car. It took Percy a few minutes longer to join me in the car, he put something in the boot before getting in. I started to get suspicious.
"What are you up to?" I asked once he'd started the car and we'd set out.
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean." Was his only response.
We drove in silence, but it wasn't for long and based on the fact we'd spent almost seven hours talking I didn't mind a bit of silence. I decided to let Piper know we'd arrived as I had promised to do so before we left.
Annabeth: Hey we've made it! Hope we didn't wake you leaving when we did?
Piper: Hey! Glad you made it there okay :). Was the traffic, okay? You didn't wake us, why are you worried, what time did you set off?
Annabeth: Traffic was fine, Percy made great time. We left at 5am.
As I pressed send Percy stopped the car. I looked up to discover we were not at a restaurant or somewhere that we could eat, but at the park. And not just any park but the park where we had fought all those years ago over a sand castle. Percy had wasted no time in getting out of the car before I could ask him why we were here.
Luke's P.O.V
He was so angry. He flipped the table in front of me sending all manner of things flying across the room. Percy hadn't been at the aquarium when I went by, and Annabeth hadn't been at the coffee shop either. Which meant they'd gone somewhere for Valentine's Day weekend.
"Damn it!" I yelled in frustration to the empty room, and I kicked more papers flying in frustration.
'Okay Luke Calm down, get a hold of yourself.' I thought. We can still put his plan into action, so they get Valentine's Day. Let them have it, it'll be the last one.
"The next time I see him step into that aquarium, he will not be stepping out. Well at least not far enough to get back to her."
Percy Jackson for all intense and purposes was going to abandon Annabeth Chase, at least that was how it was going to look. Then I'd get to play the comforting role and she'd come around to me. I knew it would take a while, but she would come around to me.
"Enjoy your weekend Annabeth, it'll be the last you see of Percy Jackson."
I smiled cunningly as he set to re-arranging his plan.
Piper's P.O.V
It was just Hazel and I in the apartment, Jason was with Thalia, Frank had a shift at Jackson's and Annabeth and Percy were in Virginia.
"What are you and Frank doing for your first Valentine's Day?" I asked her.
"I don't know, he won't tell me anything, just to be ready for 10am. It's frustrating but exciting at the same time." She replied with a look that told me she found it very frustrating.
"I know what you mean. Jason won't tell me anything either." I said.
"I bet Annabeth's in the same boat." Hazel said. Knowing she didn't know about Annabeth not celebrating Valentine's Day I agreed. Hazel and I continued to chat until my phone dinged.
It was Annabeth she'd sent me a picture of her and Percy with a sandcastle in the background. Just because she didn't celebrate Valentine's Day didn't mean Percy wasn't going to make the trip romantic, apparently. I smiled. They were just too cute.
I still remembered Annabeth telling about Christmas Day and how the two of them had met when they were seven. Percy couldn't have planned anything more romantic for this weekend if he had tried.
Still smiling I showed Hazel who said, "I know, Percy's just sent the same one to the cousin chat." She showed me her phone and I rolled my eyes.
"He's such a romantic, your cousin." I said.
"You have no idea." She told me.
"Enlighten me." I said.
"You should have heard all the ideas he was spouting for this weekend. Romantic weekend away seems to have won out but there were others. For example, a home cooked candle lit dinner, something about Lego which I can't remember but you know how much Annabeth likes Lego. The list went on he was almost going to make it a weekend not a day to celebrate with her regardless of whether or not they went away." She told me.
A smile tugged at my lips again. He really did love her. And I knew Annabeth loved him she might not celebrate the day, but she could still tell him how she felt.
Piper: Too cute! Tell him how you feel!
Annabeth: I will.
Her response was unexpected. Even though we both knew she loved him, I had still expected her to put up more of a fight about telling him. After all it had taken her nearly a month to tell him that she liked him.
Piper: Good! What are your other plans for today?
Annabeth: I'm not sure yet. What are you up to?
Piper: With Hazel the boys have ditched us.
Annabeth: Say hi from me.
"Annabeth says hi" I said as I put my phone down.
"As does Percy" Hazel smiled also putting her phone down.
Percy's P.O.V
I'd discussed my plans with mom prior to coming out to Virginia with Annabeth. I wanted Annabeth to enjoy her time here even if we had come primarily to visit her mother's grave. Mom had told me what the park was called, and I'd taken it from there.
I'd called ahead to the hotel and asked them to prepare a picnic for when we arrived so we could head out to the park, where we had met, for some food. I had also packed a beach bucket and spade set. Annabeth had teased me at Christmas saying I owed her a sand castle. And I wanted to deliver on that, moat, and all.
The look Annabeth gave me when I opened the door for her was a sceptical one. I didn't blame her we hadn't discussed this, and we'd talked a lot since 5am this morning.
"Percy what are we doing here?" She asked me.
"Lunch" I said smiling as I went to retrieve the picnic basket from the back of the car.
I also brought the bucket and spade set.
"Lunch huh?" She said raising an eyebrow at me. "And what does a bucket and spade have to do with lunch?" Her voice was teasing so I knew she was pleased.
"You told me I owed you a sand castle, I thought today might be a good opportunity to pay my debt."
"Moat and all" she teased.
"Moat and all" I confirmed.
We had lunch first mostly because I didn't want to risk having sand in my sandwich. No one wants that! Plus it would have ruined a perfectly good picnic.
"So," I said after we'd finished our sandwiches "what were you thinking for your tattoo?" I asked.
"I'm not sure yet, I might sketch something later." She told me and I nodded. "Would you ever get one?" She asked.
"I said I'd do the list with you, so yeah. I'm not sure what I'd get though. Maybe you can sketch something for me later too." I joked but she nodded. She was rather perfect.
We finished our lunch and then built a rather magnificent sand castle if I do say so myself. We took a couple of pictures of the sand castle and us with the sand castle and then decided to head back to the hotel.
Laying in our hotel bed with my girlfriend cuddled up to me while we were both naked was not how I had expected coming back to the hotel to go. I thought back on the moments that got us here.
It wasn't how I'd expected it to go, I hadn't even expected to go there this weekend, but I was so glad we had. I felt whole, I hadn't even realised before this moment while laying next to this beautiful woman, that I wasn't whole.
"Percy…" Annabeth said as we unlocked our hotel room.
"Yeah" I replied only partially paying attention as I put our bag on the sofa. But her hand pulled me away from it to give her my full undivided attention.
"I love you" she told me, and my heart soared at her words, and I couldn't supress the smile that graced my face and nor did I want to.
I didn't say it back immediately and it wasn't because I didn't feel it too. Because I did, but I'd promised myself I'd wait to tell her until after Valentine's Day and I wanted to explain that first. I took her hand in mine properly and laced our fingers.
"I told myself I would wait to tell you, promised myself even, because I didn't want you to feel pressured about tomorrow." I said not looking away from her eyes. I could see that she knew what I was talking about.
"That's one of the many things I love about you." She told me, and I could see the love she held for me in her eyes. I think I'd always seen it, but I was only just now recognising it for what it was. I knew without a doubt I couldn't deny her the return of knowing how I truly felt about her.
"With that in mind, I love you Annabeth Chase. I have I think since the moment I met you in my mother's coffee shop. And I'm pretty sure I'll love you for as long as I-" In the next instant her lips were on mine and they were hungry, and I responded just as hungrily. Annabeth tugged at my shirt, and I let her take control as she guided me towards our bed.
"Are you sure?" I said and she nodded.
Annabeth's voice brought me out of my flashback. "Y'know it's a little ironic that you are so prepared for me to start my period at any time, but not prepared for us to have protected sex." She teased.
"Well I wasn't planning on it for this weekend." I said, "Not that I'm complaining, because I'm definitely not." I was quick to add on.
"Mmhmm" She teased me, and I felt myself blush.
"I'm just saying had I have been planning on it, I would have made sure I was prepared. The fact that you were planning on it interests me though." I said teasingly.
"I wasn't" she told me propping herself up on her elbow so she could look down at my face. "Truthfully when Piper suggested it and made me pack the box, I was pretty sure I'd be taking it back in the same condition it came. But going back to the park today to build the sandcastle that was ruined all those years ago. It made me realise that if I weren't ready now, I would never be. And that sounds ridiculous because it's not like it's the first time I've done this, but it somehow means more this time. Does that make sense?" She asked me and it did. Annabeth and I had made an agreement to always be honest with each other because if a time came when we couldn't be honest with each other, well, something would be very wrong.
"Yes, it makes sense. It's not my first time either and I thought I knew, I thought-" I broke off in a chuckle. "This is so embarrassing, but I thought I understood what love was the first time I did this. But I now understand how naïve that was of me because I know now that it wasn't but that this is. Gods, I sound like such a sap." I said and she smiled down at me.
"You do," she confirmed "And not to also sound like a sap, but I feel the same way." She told me and leaned down to kiss me. And even though we'd progressed our relationship my heart still danced in my chest when her lips met mine. And I hoped that it always would.
I made a decision when we broke apart. So I got up out of the bed and walked over to our overnight bag that I'll admit Annabeth packed most of and I pulled out the small jewellery box I had added in just before we left. I made my way back over to the bed. The whole time Annabeth watched me curiously but silently.
"Before I knew about tomorrow," I started, "I bought this for you, I was going to wait until we got home so it was like a separate thing, and I don't really know what made me put it in the bag last minute. And I hadn't got a card. But-" I passed her the blue velvet box as I sat back down next to her. Annabeth looked like she was going to cry.
"Oh Percy" she whispered as she opened it and a couple of tears ran down her face.
"I didn't mean to make you cry." I said thumbing away her tears.
"They're happy" she whispered.
"Promise?" I asked and she nodded.
Annabeth's P.O.V
Today had not at all been what I was expecting. I had thought the plan was to leave early we'd planned for 7am. We'd planned for a late lunch once we got to Virginia and then I thought we'd maybe rent a film and doze off in an afternoon nap and then have dinner when we woke up. That had not been the plan.
I knew the man I loved was a hopeless romantic. I also knew he'd put off celebrating Valentine's Day for me, so I was totally unprepared for the romantic picnic in the park where we had met. I was also totally unprepared for the reaction that rebuilding that sandcastle with a moat would elicit from me. The knowledge that he'd put all this effort in just for me because he loved me, and I had no doubt in my mind that he did love me, made me want to give every part of myself to him.
The journey to the hotel from the park was short and for that I was grateful, because the small fear that I had about what I was about to do didn't have time to develop to a point where I would back out. Because I really didn't want to back out.
I can honestly say that it was one of the most raw and passionate moments in my life. Percy telling me he was going to wait until after Valentine's Day to tell me that he loved me, so I didn't feel pressured to celebrate it tomorrow. That confession just made me want him more.
It amused me greatly, but not enough to deter me, that Percy carried around a feminine hygiene pack but not a condom. I'd been so annoyed at Piper yesterday for suggesting that I pack them because I'd been so positive, I wouldn't need them. I was now very thankful she'd insisted that I pack them. I'd have to thank her when we got home.
And the gift, I really hadn't expected that, and I absolutely loved it. He'd given me a red coral pendant on a delicate silver chain. It was beautiful and I was so overwhelmed with love for him that tears fell from my eyes. I couldn't remember ever being this happy.
I fell asleep feeling happy and full of love.
Percy woke me from my nap to eat dinner. He asked if I wanted to go out and have dinner or stay in and I was still so tired from the trip down that we stayed in and ordered room service instead. It was the perfect end to the perfect day.
Thalia's P.O.V
The idea that my brother wasn't planning to end his Valentine's treasure hunt in the bedroom seemed ridiculous to me.
We'd spent most of the day hiding his gifts for his romantic treasure hunt. It was sweet really how much he loved her. But it wasn't like they weren't sleeping together so the fact he wouldn't on the day people celebrated love, well, it was beyond me.
"Remind me again why you don't want this to end in the bedroom?" I asked.
"Thalia!" He protested.
"Jace come on. It's not like I don't know that you're sleeping with her. Why would it be so bad if that's where this ended up?" I asked because I didn't understand why he was so set against it.
"I don't want her to think that's all I want from her. I don't want her to think that I think that's all her love means to me." He said and I clipped him over the back of the head. "Ow!" He complained.
"Considering you're the smart one, you're being an absolute idiot." I told him.
"Who said I was the smart one – you went to veterinary school!" He said managing somehow to brush over the fact I just called him an idiot.
"All I'm saying is some people call it 'making love' for a reason. It doesn't have to be the main event of your celebration, but you should at least include it. She can always say no if she doesn't want to."
"I guess you're right. I can't believe my sister is talking me into sleeping with my girlfriend on Valentine's Day. Piper's right, isn't she? I'm a dork?" He asked.
"Bro, Piper's always been right about that. But I think she loves you in spite of it," I teased, and he playfully punched my shoulder. "Anyway on that note I best be getting to work – I'm going over to Aunt Sally's straight after – looking after Estelle." I told him leaving a very loud unspoken 'so make the most of the empty apartment and your time with Piper.' Without another to my brother about his plans for the following day, I set out for work.
I finished work at 4am and arrived at Aunt Sally's by 5am after stupidly getting an uber in New York traffic. It definitely would have been quicker to walk. I used the spare key to open the door and found that Paul was already awake making coffee.
"Morning Paul" I said.
"Morning Thalia, the guest bedroom is all made up for you, go have a sleep. I'm sure Sally will wake you for lunch." He told me.
"Thank you" I said genuinely grateful for these people who take care of me even though I'm an adult and perfectly cable of doing that myself. It was nice sometimes to let Aunt Sally and Uncle Paul fuss.
I made my way quietly through the apartment and into the guestroom like I had on numerous occasions in my life. I took of my shoes and pulled back the covers before curling up in a cocoon. I drifted off to sleep in the warmth that was the Jackson-Blofis residence.
Percy's P.O.V
I'd originally planned to go out for dinner tonight. But mom had pointed out that we might be too tired from the long drive. She as always had been right. We were. Especially after our afternoon activities. Annabeth had been napping since I'd given her the necklace and if we're being honest, I had napped too. There was nothing I loved more in this world than being with Annabeth Chase. I only woke up because I was hungry. I checked my phone and discovered why, it was 7pm and we'd had a relatively early lunch in comparison to our plans and it had been fairly light. I didn't really want to, because she looked so perfect cuddled against me, but I woke Annabeth up to see what she wanted to do for food.
We watched some random movie on TV while eating room service before I cuddled back up for more sleep with the girl of my dreams, it had been perfect.
Waking up next to her this morning was just as perfect. As I looked over her beautiful blonde hair, at her peaceful face, I could see spending every morning waking up like this for the rest of our lives. If I'm being honest, I'd been thinking about it a lot when we woke up in her bed in her apartment. It scared me a little how deeply I felt for Annabeth. There were so many things I wanted for us, I had all these grand future plans for us, and they didn't really feel like they were that big. They just felt like things we would tick off along the way, and I was excited to do that.
We'd decided during the drive to visit her mom's grave early this morning before grabbing an early lunch and getting back on the road for the long drive back. But I had another stop I wanted to make in between visiting her mom's grave and getting back on the road.
One of the first things Annabeth and I had bonded over was Lego, she loved it, used it to draft build some of her projects sometimes and I'd found a Lego store close to where we were staying. Before we left for home, I was going to take her, in the hopes of cheering her up a little bit before the long drive back.
Annabeth's P.O.V
This weekend had been anything but ordinary. Percy somehow had managed to make it perfect. I didn't celebrate Valentine's Day, but we somehow had, in our own way.
Yesterday had been so beyond perfect. And this morning, I had expected to be nervous about visiting my mom's grave, but I wasn't. I woke up feeling safe and protected in his arms. I knew there was no place I'd rather be when I woke up. It was just a feeling he gave me, and I loved it, and him.
It took us almost no time at all to get to the grave yard. I hadn't been in so long. But I remembered the last time I'd been able to come like it was yesterday. I could almost see my younger self walking to my mom's grave holding a single Calla Lilly in my hands. I had wanted to bring one today, they had been mom's favourite, but I knew no-one would be here to remove it once it died. Instead I brought a small carved owl with me. They had been her favourite and they were mine too. I wanted to leave something that would last until I could visit again, but I also wanted to leave something that connected us.
It wasn't until I started to walk to my mom's plot that the nerves set in. Percy had waited in the car allowing me all the time I needed. I was grateful for that. It sounded silly, at least to me, but I wanted to talk to my mom. Tell her all the things I'd not been able to tell her in the past five years. I wanted her to be proud of me, and I hoped wherever she was now, that she was. I'd spent an hour talking to her, before placing the owl at the foot of her headstone and leaving. Tears ran down my face as I made my way back to Percy.
Percy was out of the car and pulling me into a hug faster than I could ask for. I really appreciated that he knew what I needed. He didn't say anything he just held me, until I stepped back from his warm embrace.
"Ready?" He asked, I nodded. I was ready to go home.
What I had not prepared for, which I should have, with how well Percy knew me, was that he knew I would spend the drive home thinking and locking myself away. He took me to the Lego store as a distraction. I truly loved this man.
After we'd spent half an hour looking at Lego, we purchased a set to build when we got home and then we got back on the road.
After we'd stopped for lunch, I got my tablet out and started sketching ideas for Percy's tattoo, as he drove. I started with divers, and waves. Then I thought about his story in the hospital, about the Seal and the Owl. Admittedly I didn't remember much of it because I had been recovering, but it gave me an idea. I got to sketching and then I remembered our sandcastle and got another idea.
I was still sketching when Percy brought me back to reality.
"I don't want to do it." He said and I thought he meant the tattoo because I'd been sketching most of the way home.
"You don't want to do what?" I asked to confirm my suspicions.
"I don't want to swim in the Olympics. It's not because I don't think I'm good enough or that I don't want to put in the work." He told me and he had my full attention. "Swimming used to be fun before Olympic or potential Olympic training came around. It's not the same, it was for diving. I should start diving again." He continued, I listened in silence as he spoke.
"Would that be okay with you? Y'know if I didn't compete? I'd have so much more time for you, Estelle, Mom, Paul. Heck even Zhang, Jace, Thalia, Nico, Hazel and Piper…" He trailed off like he knew he was rambling.
"Percy if you don't want to swim in the Olympics you don't have too. As much as I'd love to spend more time with you, if you're turning this down for me, please don't." I said measuring my words carefully. "Similarly if diving is something you want to do, you should do it."
I watched Percy carefully as he took in my response. He took my hand in his and kissed it before releasing it.
"Thanks Wise Girl, I knew you'd understand. I'm going to tell coach tomorrow then. No more 4:30am starts" He smiled.
"That's why you're doing it? Too lazy to get out of bed at 4:30am." I teased because we both knew that wasn't the case. Percy barked out a laughed.
"That, and I've been severely deprived of my morning cuddles with my girlfriend. I don't like having to miss those." He said seriously.
"I've missed them too" I said honestly.
We settled into comfortable conversation as we made our way back into New York. The closer we got to home, the more I set my thoughts to Piper, and I hoped she was enjoying her Valentine's Day.
Thalia's P.O.V
Aunt Sally and Uncle Paul went out for an early Valentine's Day dinner while I looked after Estelle.
"Thalia, why don't you have a Valentine?" Estelle asked me, and I'd forgotten how blunt kids could be. It wasn't like Estelle meant it in a mean way she was just curious beyond her years with no filter, like most kids her age.
"Well your brother and Annabeth have something really special. And I guess seeing them together made me realise that I want something like that too." I told her honestly.
"Percy's going to marry her." She told me, so seriously I know she believed it to be true.
"Maybe," I said carefully. I didn't want to burst her bubble.
"No, he is, he told me." She insisted. Did he now? Well I can't say I'm surprised. I know how much he likes her.
"Where's Jason?" She asked, normally if I was here, Jason was too.
"He has a date with his Valentine, Piper." I said.
"Does he love her?" She asked,
"Yes, I believe he does." I said wondering why my five year old cousin was so interested in Valentine's Day.
"She loves him too?" She asked.
"Yes, I believe so." I repeated.
"Is she pretty?" She asked.
"Yeah, she is. Why so many questions Li'l one?" I asked.
"Just want to know" she told me. It occurred to me that she might not have met Piper.
"Do you want to see a photo?" I asked, Estelle nodded.
I showed her one of Piper and Annabeth from Piper's Instagram.
"She knows Annabeth?" She asked.
"Yeah, they live together. They both work at your mom's shop. In fact that's how they met Percy and Jason."
"It is?"
"Yeah, it is. Why don't I grab the nail polish and I'll tell you all about it while I paint your nails?" I asked and she nodded her head so enthusiastically as I got up to retrieve my, admittedly limited, nail polish collection from my bag. Hazel had always been better at this stuff with Estelle than I had. But we sat, Estelle in silence, as I painted her nails a royal purple and recounted what Jason had told me about the night, he'd gone to help Percy with inventory.
Even though it hadn't officially been the first time Percy had met Annabeth, I knew one day this story would be told at their wedding.
Aunt Sally and Uncle Paul returned from their date around nine. Estelle was in bed, and I'd packed my bag for work.
"Hey Thalia, how was she?"
"She was great, how was dinner?" I asked.
"Dinner was lovely," Aunt Sally said. "Thank you so much for watching Estelle. Are you sure I can't make you a snack for your break before you go?" She asked.
"No thank you Aunt Sally."
"You'll have to come for dinner soon so we can thank you properly." Uncle Paul said.
After agreeing to dinner on Thursday and promising to bring Jason with me, I set off to work.
Frank's P.O.V
To say I was nervous about my first Valentine's Day with Hazel would be an understatement. Even though Hazel and I have been best friends for the past three years I still ran my plan past Percy.
Hazel loves horses, but I didn't want to over use that. She doesn't just love horses, she loves all animals, and Percy thought my idea was good, so I took her to the zoo in central park. Which went down really well, her favourite animal exhibit had been the red pandas, so I bought her a toy replica from the gift shop.
Then we had lunch at Hazel's favourite restaurant before heading back to mine and Percy's flat for a marathon of her favourite films.
We were halfway through Underworld: Rise of the Lycans when Hazel paused the film.
"Everything okay Haze?" I asked.
"More than," she replied, "I just wanted to thank you for today. I've had a great time."
"I'm glad, I know it maybe wasn't the most romantic-"
"It was perfect Frank." She told me and I smiled before leaning down to kiss her.
"Only the best for you, Hazel Levesque."
She smiled and snuggled into me before resuming the film. I felt like the luckiest guy in the world.
Piper's P.O.V
Jason had really gone all out for Valentine's Day. I knew our family was big on love because of mom and I'd seen and heard of the dates Charles had planned as he wooed Silena, and they'd fallen in love. But to get a day like that of my own? Well it was dreamt of certainly, but it was unexpected. I'd had boyfriends in the past, but none had truly understood how much love meant to me, until Jason.
It was not until today that, I realised just how much Jason Grace loved me, and I was proud to admit I loved him just as much. In fact I was pretty sure that Jason Grace was the only one I had ever loved. I'd been naïve in the past with what I thought love was, but I now I know, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
I fully intended on starting the day with texting Annabeth to see if she really did tell Percy how she felt and how it had gone. But that hadn't been how it had gone. Jason picked me up early and we'd had a romantic breakfast. All thoughts of texting Annabeth left my mind as Jason wooed me.
I'd spent a good hour and a half following clues that Jason had left for me, all over his apartment, until I had a strange selection of expensive items.
I looked at Jason curiously, and instead of answering my unasked question verbally, he did so physically. I watched as he put a price on all the items, I'd found in his 'treasure hunt of love.' He priced up every item and then put a label on me. I looked at the items in front of me. There was a very expensive and overpriced (in my opinion) box of chocolates, there was an expensive necklace that was intricate and beautiful. There was a monogramed notebook with my initials on it, a bouquet of flowers which was more expensive than I had been expecting, an expensive bottle of wine, luxury rose petals, and lastly a framed photo of us ice-skating on our first date. Though I don't know where he managed to get it from.
"Jason, I don't understand." I confessed softly.
"That's okay," he said taking my hand. "I'll explain."
We sat on the sofa, and he laced his fingers through mine.
"I was struggling with what to get you for Valentine's Day." He started. "Percy had all these ideas of things he and Annabeth could do. He's always been better at this than me." He paused and for the first time I realised he was nervous. I squeezed his hand supportively and he continued.
"So I googled gifts to prove your love. These were some of the ideas that came up in that search." He said gesturing to the gifts. "I wanted to show you how much I love you, but I didn't want you to feel like I was trying to buy your love. I also wanted you to know how much your love means to me. That's where the price tags come in." He said placing another on himself that read "unconditional.' Mine read 'priceless.'
I felt tears prick at my eyes as the weight of his gesture hit me.
"Of course I wanted to get you something nice. But I know how important love is to you and -" he paused noticing my tears. "Did I mess this up?" He asked. I shook my head.
"No, Jason. This – this is a beautiful gesture. I love it, and I love you so much." I said before leaning over to kiss him.
Ψ
~ Author's Note ~
Hi all, thank you once again for reading! I really hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know it looks like I've brushed past Thalia's issues in this one, but I absolutely haven't, it will come back round I promise. My work load is unfortunately about to skyrocket as we kick of Christmas. I know what you're all thinking Christmas! It's too early for Christmas! But unfortunately, it's the way of the business but it does mean that after the 6th of December when everything is launched, I can wind down and prepare for Christmas my way, so it doesn't spoil it! That being said updates may not be as regular going forward but I will try my best, just please bear with me!
Going Dark – Thank you for your review! I'm sorry I scared you and I hope this chapter elevated some of the worries about Valentine's Day for you? Please let me know what you thought!
WiseGrl14 – Thank you for your review! I'm glad you enjoyed it, please let me know what you thought of this one!
SAS7ROCKS – Thank you for your review! Making Zeus look bad isn't actually as hard as it looks! I did mean tragedy and I've updated that – so thank you! Please let me know what you thought of this chapter!
SarcasmRocks – Thank you for your review! I'm glad you loved it! Remember I said to hold on to that snippet from the Christmas chapter? I hope you did! Frank is a Psychology and Law student; he is just descended from a very wealthy Chinese Dynasty! Let me know what you thought of this chapter!
TheProudPearl24 – Thank you for your review! I'm glad you like the last two! I liked your question from Piper to Hazel, I think she might have teased Frank that it was horses, but I think we all (not so secretly) know that it would be Frank winning that contest! I hope you enjoyed this one too! Please let me know!
Insanedreamer7905 – Thank you for your review! I'm glad you loved it! I'm glad you always love those POVs I hope you loved them in this one two! Thalia most definitely needed that moment of clarity with Annabeth telling her that so, no doubt. Thalia will come back around on this in a future chapter so don't worry it'll come up! Luke is bubbling that's for sure! I hope you liked this one please let me know!
Harmionepercabethparker – Thank you for your review! I'm glad you liked the truth or drink part; the drinking games do seem to be a favourite amongst my readers! I might add another one in somewhere down the line! Please let me know what you thought of this chapter!
Dawn. Justice – Thank you for your review! I love that you were so excited that it was literally to demand this chapter, I really hope it lived up to expectation, please let me know!
Aweesh ganegoda – Thank you for your review! I'm glad you are enjoying spinning your theories! I hope you liked this chapter too, please let me know!
Happy reading all and stay safe! :)